captnhoy

This thread is a classic example of what an unfriendly place this is.

Thank you Sheryl. Clear and concise as I hoped.

I returned to Thailand 10 days ago on my 2nd METV in 12 months. Just before leaving the US I was diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma on my back midway between the top of my shoulder and my shoulder blade. I can see it only in profile in the mirror. This experience unfolded like this -
My version - I got stung by a bee about 2 months ago and look at this big red itchy bump. Is that stem in the middle the stinger? I think so. When you squeeze it you get a clear liquid almost like a blister.

My landlord owns 2 condos for investment and rental income and lives in her house here. She defers management to the condo staff. Many, if not most here are rented out rather than owner occupied. I assume that the staff reported my stay. I do not plan to chase the TM-30 topic with staff as I come and go. It does not seem to be so strict here.

This is another good example of how "the rules" vary from one office to another. I just returned to Hua Hin on a METV, where I rented the same condo as last visit which ended 5 months ago. Last time the condo staff said "No - you go" when I asked if they would register me. So I did armed only with a rental agreement and I did successfully file a TM30. Condo staff said the same this year and after some confusion at the immigration office another IO intervened in the transaction and clearly stated that as I have a tourist visa it is the condo's problem and not my problem. They sent me on my way. I informed the condo staff.

Every now and then one of these denied entry reports mentions tea money openly, or subtly, being requested. I think that is what this is really about. A METV is a flag that it is important for you to be here therefore "pay my toll". If you are too dense to figure it out - off you go then back the way you came. That will be my assumption if denied entry in the future or re-entry on my current METV when it is time to see Vietnam and return.

Good to see this. Been thinking about doing it.

15 hours ago, FredGallaher said:

So now you understand that you aren't entitled to live long term in Thailand. It is unfortunate that some consulates are issuing inappropriate visas, but the visa applicant now knows and plan accordingly. After all first time visitors seem to have no problems, it's only those doing repeat visits that are being questioned or turned around. It could be that those processing the paperwork at most consulates aren't always Thai and/or are clerical staff, whereas at the airport the IO is actually a police officer with much greater authority. It like consulate shopping to get the best deal.

It's really good that now everyone knows what to expect.

Oh RIGHT! You know more about the requirements for a tourist visa that the people working at the consulates. Did you know that I had to show financial means? A return ticket and submit my passport for their scrutiny. You apparently do not agree but people who come here for months at a time on a METV are living within the description of the visa. I do not work here. I am happy to leave and explore other parts of Asia. I abide by all the rules and laws. 

Saying that we know what to expect - you mean expecting to perhaps have to pay a bribe to get in? I wondered if I would be refused entry and or asked for a bribe to be allowed entry. If you seriously think that the police are simply doing the real vetting then you CHOOSE to overlook the bribery topic. And if they were actually vetting then wouldn't it also follow that ALL METVs with history here would be turned away. 

On 10/7/2019 at 7:39 AM, FredGallaher said:

Why did you give up the Non O retirement visa? It seems like the ideal visa for you. Was the lack of the embassy letter an issue?

No, I can manage the money topic....I got tired of the BS at Ranong Immigration. The ONLY IO working that desk at the time would refuse to speak English and somewhat make it up as she went along. No matter how prepared one might be there was always something else to return for. Delivered with a smug <deleted> attitude. Comparing notes with my mates their reply was "Oh, you mean the c*nt?" I am on my 3rd cycle of NO extension of stay and life is much better.

For anyone thinking of seeing it in Thailand my personal review says "Save your money". What a snooze.

On 7/27/2019 at 2:03 AM, Wake Up said:

Why do some of you have a desire and need to label victims of crime as being an “idiot?”

 

Or stating this is what I do ....... see how smart I am not to be a crime victim. 

 

 

 

 

For me this is such a refreshing comment. I jumped to the last page after wading through so many judgmental comments about the victim of a crime. TV members - check your empathy at the door.

I lost more than this through my step daughter, 12 years into that relationship. I was helping her through a rough time after her abusive ugly divorce. Left her alone in my otherwise secured house. She brought in the Thai boyfriend that I did NOT know she had.

4 hours ago, BritTim said:

Unless using Poipet or Padang Besar, I cannot imagine any problem at a land border.

In April I was denied in Ranong when I showed up to go to the Andaman Club. The IO thumbed through my passport seeing my stamps from this year and last year, Last year I did not have a METV and stayed 6 months on 2 SETVs. This year I had a METV. He failed to notice the 5 month stay in my home country and very aggressively proclaimed that I was "living in Thailand". There was no talking him out of it. I had enough time left to got to Kanchanaburi.

Is there any expat on these pages that has successfully imported a car to Thailand? Or know for a fact a westerner who has? My impression is that Thai customs has made that so difficult and expensive, reportedly so that they, customs, end up with our imported car, that we farangs have given up that strategy long ago. 
What say you?
And what of the Thai population and their appetite to display their wealth with high end imports? Benz, BMW, etc. Those cars already here will certainly hold value.

I did the METV my last trip and I'm planning for next one now. I am US based. What I have seen is the price of 2 one way tickets make it worth my while to sharpen my plan and choose an actual return date so I do get a RT ticket. Price difference in RT and 2 OWs is worth it. Also flying EVA, for example, gives liberal rules for no cost changes.

200 year old takien thong? In Thailand? Just a careless oversight to not cut it. Until now - someone will poach it for sure.

2 down and how many to go?
The fact that they got back in perhaps says a lot about new biometric ID procedures at the airports.

imagine what it will be like to get a seat on the Swampy bus in the near future. You had better learn how to book online at least the day before you want to go. Even before this I waited through 3 departures at Swampy,  hrs, to get a seat. I did not like the vans much, some are terrible, some not so bad, but they were the fastest way to get either direction and they left every 30 minutes. Could it be that the owner of the bus line knows somebody with enough pull to shut down a competitive business? Why single out the Hua Hin run?

I left Hua Hin yesterday after a stay of some months. I have no hard data. My estimate is that the tourist traffic at the Night Market is about 30% of when it was bustling. Some bars are closing. Plenty are not. Some of the "girls" are going home to work the farm.

As follow up to this I did the border run on Apr 16. At the border it is quite an industry. You cannot stamp out until you see an "agent" who has taken your passport and filled in your new arrival card. That way immigration knows you've paid your "dues" and they will get a cut, no doubt. There was no issue with Immigration of any kind. In fact not one word was spoken to me other than an IO directing me to an "agent" prior to stamping out. Not having done any real research on this i did not realize that the border is a 75 minute drive (as fast as he can) from the bus station. In my case as the sole passenger in the back of a songtao. I don't know what the cost of that is normally. The driver started at 1200 and claimed "that is normal for here" He dropped to 1000 and said the same thing. He made a face when he accepted my counter of 900. What is really normal? From the bus station back to the bus station was 4 hours. The vans back to Hua Hin were booked solid until the 5 pm run. But this was still heavy songkran traffic.

Drive it like you stole it.
OH

29 minutes ago, sirocco said:

What's putting you off? the price?
Bah! you are probably spending money,
like most of us.
  You're lucky, for the same price, we'll take you back to HH.
Look on facebook, they look, all, happy.
In addition you will make spontaneous knowledge
and no concern for transport research.
Otherwise, van, train, or bus, until KANCHANABURI.
After, I do not know.

OK...since you want to be helpful - yes the price. It is 220 baht by van..440 RT. Joe mentioned 980 to actually do the visa part. That is a total of 1,420. The HH service makes it a total of 2,980. Of course you are right, I am spending money like everyone. I prefer that to be on women, drinks, dancing, boats and cars. The rest I will just piss away. But not more than necessary on a visa run. You waste your money your way and I'll do the same. Thanks for your help.

Anyone have any info about finding the transport through no mans land once arriving in Kanchanaburi? Local Hua Hin service is quoting 2500 for that part.